[Probity]

I'd agree with MotorTrend on 2 of their 3 cons - the 2.5 Smartstream is certainly gutless, and has a bouncy ride (every time I cross the Causeway over Lake Ponchartrain I'm reminded of that...). I disagree about their tranny comment - I find the 8-speed tranny very smooth (refined?) but I'm comparing it to the 10-speed in my F150 which is very good overall but 'refined' or 'smooth' ain't words I'd use to describe my F150's 10-speed. Compared to it, there's not enough o's in the word "smoooooooth" to describe the 8-speed.....

I don't have a problem with the 2.5 being gutless, but that's just the driving conditions/habits/style I currently have (mostly slow speed city driving, lots of short trips, etc). That's why I got the GDI/PFI 2.5, I didn't want a turbo based on the type of driving I do.